Short Story Review – A Matter of nurture by August von Orth

This is the first single short story I have reviewed as I normally critique complete short story collections.  The story is part of a collection from different authors featured in the Canadian Science Fiction magazine, “Neo-opsis”.  It is an intriguing tale set in a dystopian world.  On reading the first few lines I struggled with point-of-view but as I read on it soon became clear on whose view point the story was written.  This may have been deliberate as the assassin protagonist was clearly mixed up about who she really was.

It took me a couple of readings to determine what was happening in the narrative but this did not matter as the story was brief and it became clear that the protagonist was a victim of mind control.  It made me think and I do not mind that as I like story’s that make me think.  I understand that it is only available in the pages of the magazine so check it out as I am sure sci-fi fans will not be disappointed.

Keith Jahans
Editor, Peatmore Press

Published in Canada

Book Excerpt – Magic Bullets Prologue

The bullet crashed through the plate glass window and into the customer’s forehead.  It smashed through his skull and embedded itself in the wall behind him.  People screamed as the plump middle-aged man was flung off his chair away from the table where he had been dining and the shooter stepped through the shattered opening into the restaurant.
    He had not wanted to waste bullets by spraying rounds indiscriminately so he had set the Kalashnikov rifle he was holding to fire single shots.  These were to be surgical killings and he wanted to shoot dead all who crossed his path.  His feet crunched on the broken glass as he trod carefully forward and shot a woman, sheltering beneath the table in the back of the neck.  A man who looked like a waiter made a dash for two double doors and he shot him in the back before he could reach them.  Some people ran, but those who were not quick enough or those who cowered on the floor he shot one by one.  Dark blood flowed with food, drink and broken crockery among the unturned chairs.

http://peatmore.com/magicbullets.htm